__K-8 BETTER HEALTH THROUGH WALKING AND BICYCLING

The purpose of the combined online class and face-to-face workshop is to familiarize participants with the Journeys From Home supplemental curriculum materials. These materials have been developed and refined during the past 20 years. Most successfully used with children during the school day and/or in a recreational setting. The workshop clarifies which skills must be taught, when they should be taught, and in what ways they might be taught. Participants will discuss strategies to build a walk and bicycle friendly community. Apply for scholarship funds here.

Curriculum

OVERVIEW The “K-8: Journeys From Home, Walking and Bicycling education materials accentuate the positive, focus on perception, decision making and mastering skills. These materials support what children like to do best; explore new places and experience new things. Each developmentally appropriate skill activity is classified by grade level. Every grade level has its own teacher’s manual and series of video vignettes. There are at least seven lessons provided for each grade level. Kindergarten through second grade lessons focus on pedestrian education; upper grade lessons focus on bicycle education. Specific learner outcomes are established; the teaching objectives can be measured and met.

Media Support

Purpose: To give children the skills necessary to become competent, predictable, and comfortable on the route to school. To give parents the confidence to allow children to travel freely in their community. How: A comprehensive education program: - is research based - provides developmentally appropriate activities - touches every child, every year - delivers information year after year in a progressive spiral - evolves to meet the needs of the population it serves - is sustainable When a school-based comprehensive curriculum is in place, and “resident teachers” have opportunity to work with the students year after year, a school wide dynamic shift to independent travel takes place.

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

These materials are unique in their approach to teaching traffic education. Specifically:

is research based and uses established countermeasures

focuses on attainable behavior changes that can reduce children’s risk

contains lessons that are developmentally appropriate and grow with the children

presents positive images that focus on decision making and predictable, responsible actions

offers repetitive practice under close supervision

takes children outside, on foot, on bike, on the playground and in the neighborhood street

is taught in schools by trained, certified teachers who know the children and their developmental abilities

is integrated into the Health Enhancement school district curriculum, rather than depending on grants and funding each year

Four hours of on-line work are required prior to the face-to-face training, remaining on-line hours are to be completed after the workshop.20 CEU or OPI renewal units are available 1 College Credit (Graduate or Undergraduate) available ($150 to MSU-Northern)

Workshop Fee varies.

Participants do not need extensive bicycle riding experience

Participants are asked to bring tennis shoes, a bicycle and helmet

Please bring your own water bottle

Participants qualify to receive all curriculum materials

Who Should Attend a Journeys From Home Training and Why?

Building a “Healthy Community” requires a diverse group of concerned citizens. This workshop allows participants to spend time together with a focus on the transportation needs of children and other members of the community. Elementary Classroom Teachers -- The workshop is based on curriculum materials that target K-5. Physical Education K-8 Health Enhancement Teachers -- To understand physical skills and procedures for on-bike activities. Drivers Education Instructors -- To better understand child behaviors related to traffic skills. Afterschool Program Staff -- The knowledge to use walking and bicycling for field trips and other activities safely with youth. Summer Youth Program Staff -- To build a lifetime activity link with children and parents promoting cycling. Bicycle Enthusiasts -- To understand the developmental differences between adult and child bicyclists. Parents -- To Reinforce the child’s walking and bicycling skills using developmentally appropriate instructions and cues. Law Enforcement -- To understanding child development and the skills necessary for children to be part of traffic. SRTS Committee members -- Provide vision for the built environment, understand developmental needs of children in traffic. Health Professionals -- Injury prevention is possible through education, engineering and the use of protective gear. Community Advocates -- Provide resources to develop an Active Transportation plan that promotes walking and bicycling. Engineers -- To understand how children learn and develop is critical to child safe design. School Administrators -- Become key partners to encourage and educate walking and bicycling.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

Health Enhancement/Physical Education is a discipline with a sophisticated structure and an organized scope and sequence which attempts to accommodate individual needs. State and federal law requires that the needs of all students be met. In an effort to meet these regulations and to provide the best possible program for all students, physical educators have found that student-centered curriculums result in effective programs and positive attitudes on the part of all participants. Walking and bicycling are effective tools to combat diabetes and obesity which are the two most common diseases threatening children today. Acquiring traffic skills allows children to make healthy transportation choices.

The purpose of this online class and face to face workshop is to familiarize participants with the Journeys From Home curriculum materials and a community comprehensive plan. This curriculum is directed toward the education of children during the school day or in a recreation setting. The workshop will clarify what skills can be taught, when they should be taught, and in what ways they might be taught.

Specific objectives: At the completion of the Workshop the participant will be able to:

Clarify for students, staff, and community, the mission of the local school district's Health Enhancement curriculum.

Identify learner outcomes or objectives teachers have a responsibility to cover and will be held accountable for.

Be familiar with the knowledge base for students at each grade level.

Observe how this particular curriculum is organized in an effort to maximize efficient use of time and implement important content variations.

Maintain reasonable consistency within a School District’s offerings so that students receive similar content.

Establish a common base from which local educators individually, and in a group, can plan for instruction.

Pinpoint resources that teachers may use to meet specific outcomes and thus enhance the quality of instruction and reduce preparation time.

Administrative skills

Distinguish between child friendly and non-friendly areas around the school.

Know and understand the principles that guide the movement of traffic.